Canadiens News

One-year deal for Pouliot

MONTREAL -- Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier has signed forward Benoit Pouliot to a one-year contract (2010-11). As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pouliot is coming off his fourth NHL season and first with the Canadiens. The 23-year-old left winger registered 24 points (15 goals, 9 assists) and a +8 plus/minus differential in 39 games upon joining the Canadiens. In 53 games combined with Minnesota and Montreal, Pouliot posted career-highs across the board with 17 goals, 11 assists and 28 points.

In 104 career NHL games, Pouliot has amassed 42 points (24 goals, 18 assists) and a +7 plus/minus differential since breaking into the league in 2006-07. The 6-foot-3, 199-pound forward has also scored four winning goals, including three with the Canadiens in 2009-10.

A native of a Alfred, ON, Pouliot was selected in the first round, fourth overall by Minnesota at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired from the Wild in return for Guillaume Latendresse on November 23, 2009.